Musical Theater Colleges in Illinois

As promised, the next article tackles musical theater colleges in Illinois. Home state of the hilarious musical Chicago. The following musical theater colleges in Illinois would be ranked based on number of FB likes. Curriculum offered and some special features would be mentioned as well. In an area known for having a knack for the performing arts. Which colleges are found offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre?

You read that part right. “Freshmen are cast in musicals regularly.” Immediately exposing them on stage would help curb stage fright. Stage fright may be a constant debacle. All throughout a theater worker’s life. But it still works when done early. SIU is one of the musical theater colleges in Illinois to expose their students. It is as often as possible to the medium. Aspiring students with theater experience as children as clearly at an advantage here.

An aspiring musical theater performer already has subjects in mind when auditioning for a slot at WIU. But WIU went the extra mile. They assembled a suggested degree plan. It demonstrated best the levels of subjects offered. Even the units and credits are pointed out. Excellent for students intent on earning credentials on record. Musical theater colleges in Illinois like WIU made it easier for their future students to assemble the right program. All they have to worry about is attending the lessons. But of course, after getting admitted to WIU. You have to pass auditions first.

What made Rockford College’s curriculum unique among the listed musical theater colleges in Illinois? Subjects are classified into “major”, “track”, “supporting” and “general education”. Most of the music-based courses are classified under track courses. Even other aspects like stage make-up, aural skills and musical theatre history are explored. Interestingly, the course “Musical Comedy” is found under supporting courses. In other words, not only is your performance harnessed. Your production value is amplified with the right mix of majors, tracks and supporting courses.

A proud member of the National Alliance for Music Theatre. IWU is one of the musical theater colleges in Illinois that takes pride in the small classes. The IWU website have given some hints on what to expect in the BFA in Music Theatre degree offered. IWU has been offering this degree ever since 1978. The only other institution that offered the BFA program earlier than IWU was the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. This lengthy track record and strong foundation serves as their best proof of how stable the musical theater program is at IWU.

Millikin University is one of the musical theater colleges in Illinois that infused liberal arts education into their conservatory-style training. Some theater nerds consider this crucial. With musicals that explored issues like American history (through Amazing Grace and Hamilton), feminism (through The Color Purple) and even fascism (through Wicked). MU has prepared their students not only in putting out credible, believable performances. But also in understanding the characters they play and the situations in which the characters found themselves in. They take pride in their Mainstage Season. This is where they get to stage 1 play and 2 musicals. In alternating seasons, they offer either another play or an opera production.

Interested in earning a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre? Our list of musical theater colleges in Illinois come with links to help you decide. Choose between SIU, WIU, Rockford, IWU or Millikin respectively.

And so we capped off an article with focus on musical theater colleges in Illinois. If you live around the areas where these institutions are located, much better. More lists of musical theater colleges to come in the future. So better subscribe to our online newsletter. Better follow us on our social media accounts too. Like our official Facebook page, Musicals Online. And follow us on Twitter @musicalsnews. Thanks for reading.